YouTube is trying out an interesting change in how you scroll through content. Creator Posts—those text updates, polls, and images shared by creators—are now showing up in some users’ Shorts feeds, right alongside the usual short videos.
This test was first reported by 9to5Google. It reflects YouTube’s effort to make better use of a feature that often flies under the radar. Many users are familiar with Shorts, the vertical videos reminiscent of TikTok, but the Posts section hidden in a creator’s channel usually doesn’t get much attention. By integrating Posts into the Shorts feed, YouTube aims to catch users’ eyes where they already spend their time.
What’s Actually Changing
Currently, if you follow a creator and they share a poll about what video to make next, or post a behind-the-scenes photo, you can only find those updates in the Community tab of their channel. You’d need to actively look for it or wait for a notification from YouTube. Most users won’t go looking.
By bringing those Posts into the Shorts feed, YouTube treats creator updates similarly to how Instagram handles Stories or Facebook handles status updates. They blend into the feed you’re already scrolling through. It’s like seeing a tweet from your favorite creator pop up between TikTok videos. You didn’t seek it out, but it’s there.
This is just a test right now, so only some users will see it. YouTube hasn’t confirmed any plans for a wider rollout.
The Other Shorts News: You Can Now Turn Them Off Entirely
In a somewhat related update, YouTube has quietly introduced a feature that takes a different approach. The app’s screen time management tools now let you set a zero-minute daily limit on Shorts, effectively removing the Shorts feed from your app on both Android and iOS.
Before, the minimum limit you could set was 15 minutes, which is still enough to fall into a scrolling trap. The new zero-minute option is a more definite stop—if you set it, Shorts won’t show up at all.
To find this option: open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Time Watched, and look for the Shorts daily limit.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Daily Shorts views | 70 billion (as of 2023) |
| Shorts creators uploading monthly | Over 50 million |
| Previous minimum Shorts time limit | 15 minutes |
| New minimum Shorts time limit | 0 minutes |
| Shorts feed Post mixing | Currently in testing |
Why YouTube Is Doing This
At first glance, these two changes might seem contradictory. One gives users a way to escape Shorts, while the other makes them more engaging by adding varied content. But both aim for the same goal: making YouTube feel more intentional and less like a mindless time sink.
Offering a hard-off switch builds trust and addresses the growing concern that short-form video platforms are hard to escape. Meanwhile, adding Posts to Shorts keeps creators connected to their audiences without needing to produce a new video every time they want to share something.
This is potentially significant for creators. Posts don’t currently reach as many viewers as videos do. If those updates begin appearing in the Shorts feed, creators gain a fresh way to stay visible between their uploads—without the need for a full video.
What This Means For You
If you often scroll through Shorts, your feed might start to look a bit different. Instead of just videos, you could see a poll from a cooking channel, a photo from a musician you follow, or a text update from a tech reviewer. Whether this is a nice change or a distraction will likely depend on how much you interact with Posts already.
If you find it hard to stop watching Shorts, the zero-minute limit is now an option for you. It won’t erase Shorts from YouTube—you can still find them if you search—but it will take the feed out of your default experience.
For creators, this test is something to keep an eye on. If Posts gain visibility in a busy feed, it could be a great way to keep audiences engaged between video uploads.
What People Are Saying
“Finally a zero-minute limit. That 15 min floor felt like YouTube saying ‘we know you want to stop but we’re not going to make it easy.’
“Mixing posts into Shorts is interesting for creators, but I feel like most people will swipe past them in 0.5 seconds like everything else in that feed.”
What To Watch
- Post-in-Shorts rollout: YouTube hasn’t given a timeline for when or if this test will become a permanent feature. Keep an eye out for an official announcement in the coming weeks if the engagement data looks promising.
- Creator response: If Posts start driving meaningful views, YouTube might invest more in the feature—possibly adding new Post formats or analytics tools for creators.
- Screen time tools: The zero-minute Shorts limit is now available on Android and iOS. YouTube may expand similar controls to other feed types (like Recommended videos) if this feature is well-received.
Sources: 9to5Google: YouTube tests showing creator Posts in your Shorts feed | The Verge: YouTube now lets you turn off Shorts
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
